The artwork titled “Work” by Kazuo Shiraga, created in 1970, is a significant piece within the Abstract Expressionism movement. As an abstract artwork, it epitomizes the movement’s emphasis on spontaneous, automatic, or subconscious creation.
The artwork features a dynamic composition dominated by vivid red and pink hues, which radiate outward from a central, almost star-like formation. The central shape appears to be an abstract form, suggesting movement and energy through its bold, sweeping red brushstrokes that extend outward. Interspersed among these forms are patches of green, which contrast with the red and inject an additional layer of complexity. The splashes of color seem to be applied with a gestural intensity typical of Abstract Expressionism, where the emphasis lies more on the act of painting and the movement involved rather than on a detailed, representational figure. The signature of the artist, placed at the lower-left corner, adds a personal touch and authenticity to the piece.
